Valve



Aug. 16, 1966- E, p, BRlNKEL ETAL 3,266,521

Yara/ZXY Aug. 16, 1966 E, p, BRINKEL ET Al.

VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 20, 1963 United States Patent C) 3,266,521 VALVE Edwin P. Brinkel, Royal Oak, and Daniel B. Abbott, Y Clawson, Mich., assignors to Ross @pel-ating Valve Company, Betroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Feb. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 259,902 7 Claims. (Cl. 137-625.66)

This invention relates to valves, and more particularly to pressure signal-responsive valves for controlling the occurrence and sequence of successive output signals.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved pressure signal-responsive valve which will produce an output pressure pulse only when two input pressure signals are present and occur in the proper sequence, and will cancel the output pressure signal immediately when either one of the input pressure signals is removed.

It is another object to provide an improved valve of this nature which is usable in conjunction with one r more pressure-operated signal sequence mechanisms of the pulse divider type which provide equal distribution between the application and removal phases of the output pressuue signal, the combination of the present valve with such mechanisms producing an output with an unequal distribution of the application and removal phases.

It is also an object to provide an improved valve having the above characteristics, which can be connected in various ways with respect to a number of the -abovementioned pulse divider mechanisms, thus being capable of producing different output signal phase distributions.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of a suitable embodiment of the invention shown in its removal or exhaust position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE l-showing the Valve in its enabling position;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded partially schematic diagram showing the invention in conjunction with two pulse divider mechanisms of the type disclosed and claimed in Brinkel Patent No. 2,921,602 issued January 19, 1960. one signal input port of the valve of this invention being connected to the primary input signal of the system;

FIGURE 4 is a chart showing the operating sequence of the arrangement of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partially schematic diagram similar to FIGURE 3 but with one signal port of the valve of this invention connected to the output from one of the pulse divider mechanisms; and

FIGURE 6 is a chart showing the operating sequence of the arrangement of FIGURE 5.

Brieily, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a spool valve member having iirst and second input signal ports, an output signal port and an exhaust port. The valve spool has a iirst seal area connected to the first input signal port and a second and smaller seal area which is connected to the iirst input signal port when the valve is in its removal or exhaust position, the second area partially counteracting the eiiect of the iirst area. When the valve is shifted to its enabling position, the second area is no longer effective.

The valve has third and fourth seal areas which are of equal size and smaller than the second seal area. The third seal area separates the second input signal port from the output signal port when the valve is in its exhaust position, these ports being connected when the valve is in its enabling position. The fourth seal area 3,266,521 Patented August 16, 1966 lCe separates the outlet port from the exhaust port when the valve is in its enabling position, these ports being connected when the valve is in its exhaust position.

Upon application and maintenance of a pressure pulse at the rst input signal port, the valve will shift to itsv enabling position. Upon later application and maintenance of a pressure signal at the second input signal port, a pressure signal will be applied to the output signal port. If either pressure signal is thereafter canceled, the output signal will also be canceled. If the pressure signal at the irst input signal port is canceled while the output signal is being applied, the pressure acting on the fourth seal area will shift the valve to its exhaust position. If the pressure signal is removed from the second input signal port While the output signal is being applied, this will automatically cancel the output signal, since the latter is supplied from the second input signal port.

If, both input signal ports being exhausted, pressure is iirst applied to the second input signal port and thereafter to the iirst input signal port, an output signal will not occur. This is because pressure applied to the second input signal port will act on the third seal area, and pressure applied to the irst input signal port will act only upon the differential area between the first and second seal areas. This differential area is less than the effective areas of either the third or fourth seal areas.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the valve is generally indicated at 11 and is shown in detail in FIGURES l and 2, FIGURE l showing the valve in its left-hand or exhaust position and FIGURE 2 in its righthand or enabling position. The valve has a body 12 with a bore having enlarged end sections 13 and 14 with a narrowed intermediate section 15. End caps 16 and 17 are provided at the opposite end of the bore, these caps being secured to ilattened sides of housing 12.

A spool 18 is slidably mounted in the bore, the spool having a first seal area 19, a second seal area 21, a third seal area 22, and a fourth seal area 23. Seal area 19 is slidable in bore section 13, and a bushing 24 is provided in the left-hand end of bore section 13, seal area 21 being slidable within bushing 24 when the spool is in its left-'hand or exhaust position as shown in FIGURE 1. A vent 25 is provided for the chamber 26 formed within bushing 24 by seal area 21.

Housing 12 is provided with a lirst input signal port 27 connected to bore section 13 inwardly of bushing 24, a second input signal port 28 connected to bore section 14, an output signal port 29 connected to bore section 15, and an exhaust port 31 connected to bore section 13 inwardly of port 27, seal area 19 separating ports 27 and 31 at all times.

Seal area 21 is smaller than seal area 19, and seal areas 22 and 23 are of uniform size, smaller than area 21, and larger than the diilerenee between areas 19 and 21. When spool 18 is in its left-hand or exhaust position, seal area 22 tits within bore section 1S and separates ports 28 and 29. At the same time, seal area 23 is disposed within bore section 13 so that ports 29 and 31 are connected. When spool 18 is in its right-hand or enabling position as shown in FIGURE 2, seal area 21 is withdrawn from bushing 24, seal area 23 fits within bore section 15, and seal area 22 is within bore section 14. Thus, ports 29 and 31 are separated and ports 28 and 29 are connected.

In operation, assuming an initial position of spool 18 as shown in FIGURE 1, a pressure signal applied to first input signal port 27 will cause pressure to act on seal larea 19 tending to urge spool 18 to the right, and on seal 21, which is within bushing 24, tending to urge spool 18 to the left. Since seal area 19 is larger than seal area 3 21, spool 18 will shift to its right-hand or enabling position shown in FIGURE 2. As it shifts, seal area Z1 will be withdrawn from bushing 24 so that the entire area of seal 19 will thereafter be effective. At this time, however, there Will be no pressure applied to output signal port 29.

Should a pressure signal be applied to second input signal port 28 while spool 18 is held in its right-hand or enabling position by the maintenance of pressure at -port 27, pressure will ow from bore section 14 to bore section 15 and into output signal port 29. This pressure will also act against seal area 23, but since this area is less than that of seal area 19, spool 1S will remain in its right-hand position.

Should pressure be removed from first signal port 27, the pressure acting on seal area 23 will cause shifting of spool 18 to the left, connecting bore section 15 with exhaust port 31 and separating pressurized bore section 14 from output signal port 29. The output signal port will thus be exhausted, and the pressure acting on seal area 22 will maintain the spool in its left-hand or exhaust position. Removal of pressure from second input signal port 28 after shifting of spool 1S to its left-hand or exhaust position will not affect the position of spool 18. Should the pressure at first input signal port 27 -be reapplied before the pressure at second input signal port 28 -is removed, spool 18 will still remain in its left-hand or exhaust position since seal area 21 will have re-entered bushing 24, and the differential area between seals 19 and 21 is less than the area of seal 22. In order to reapply a pressure signal at output signal port 29, it would be necessary to first remove the pressure -at second input signal port 28, and then apply a signal to first input signal port 27 and thereafter to second input signal port 28.

Assuming that spool 18 is in its right-hand position with pressure being applied to both signal ports 27 and 28, removal of pressure at second input signal port 28 will cause cancellation of the pressure sign-al at output signal port 29, even though spool 18 will remain in its right-hand or enabling position. This is because the pressure at port 29 can only be supplied from port 28. Should the pressure at port 28 be reapplied while pressure is maintained at port 27, a pressure signal will again be applied to output signal port 29. Should the pressure at port 27 be removed after the pressure at port 28, there will still be no shifting of spool 18 from its right-hand position. However, should the pressure at port 28 then be reapplied before it is restored at port 27, spool 18 will shift to its left-hand position, the pressure acting on seal area 23 and then on se-al area 22, and no signal will be applied to output signal port 29.

FIGURES 3 and 4 show an application of valve 11 to a system in which a pilot valve generally indicated at 32, first and second pulse dividing mechanisms generally indicated at 33 Kand 34, and a unit 11 are in stacked and interconnected relation for controlling output signal pulses to -a Huid motor 35 such as that for a Valve 36. The pulse divider mechanisms 33 and 34 are similar to those described and claimed in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,921,602 of Brinkel, issued January 19, 1960.

Although a detailed description of the construction of umts 33 and 34 is believed unnecessary for the purpose of understanding the present invention, it may be stated generally that each unit has a housing 37, a control spool 38, and an actuating spool 39, the spools being slidably mounted within the housing. Housing 37 has a supply port 41, an output signal port 42 and an exhaust port 43, and actuating spool 39 is movable between a yright-hand position as shown in the figures in which output signal port 42 is connected with exhaust port 43, and a left-hand position in which supply port 41 -is connected to output signal port 42. A detent 44 is provided which is controlled by spool 38 and acts on spool 39. Spool 38 yis movable between a right-hand position as shown in the figures, in which detent 44 locks spool 39 in either of the positions,

and a left-hand position in which detent 44 is released from 'spool 39. An input signal port or chamber 45 is provided Iat the right-hand end of control spool 38, pressure at this port tending to move spool 38 to the left. A spring 46 is provided for moving spool 38 to the right.

The interconnections between the various chambers and ports of units 33 or 34 are such that application and subsequent removal of a pressure signal at port 45 will cause spool 39 to shift from its pressure position to its exhaust position or vice Versa, and remain in the shifted position until application and removal of a second pressure pulse to input signal port 45 which will cause spool 39 to return to and remain in it original position. Each unit 33, 34 thus acts as a pulse divider in that the number of output pressure pulses Will be half the number of input pulses. If the output signal port 42 of one unit such -as unit 33 is -connected to the input signal port 45 of another unit such as unit 34, the output signal port 42 of unit 34 will have one fourth the number of pulses of input signal port 45 of unit 33.

In general terms, each unit 33 or 34 will require a predetermined number of applied and removed input pulses (whether directly connected or remote) to create a single application of its output pulsea and the same number of input pulses thereafter to create a single removal of its output pulse. This is apparent from a study of FIGURE 4 which is a chart or diagram of the operating sequence of the various signal ports, In this diagram, and in FIGURE 3, the primary signals at port 45 are referred to as P1 (pressure) or E1 (exhaust), those at port 42 and 45 as P2 or E2 and those at port 42 as P3 or E3. Pilot valve 32 is a 3-way solenoid operated valve which when energized will connect a supply port 47 to an outlet port 48, the outlet port being connecte-d to port 45. When the solenoid operated pilot valve is de-energized, outlet port 4S will be connected to an exhaust port 49.

It will be seen from FIGURE 4 that upon the first application of pressure P1, P2 and P3 will simultaneously appear. Upon removal of P1 (first occurrence of E1), P2 and P3 will remain. Upon the second application of P1, P2 will change to E2 but P3 will remain. Upon the second occurrence of E1, E2 `and P3 will remain.

Upon the third application of P1, P2 will again appear. This will cause removal of P3 or occurrence of E3. The third occurrence of P1 willnot cause any change in P2 or E2. When P1 is applied for the fourth time, P2 will change to E2 but E3 will remain undisturbed. Upon the fourth occurrence of E1, all signals P1, P2 and P3 will have been removed, and the fifth application of P1 will have the same 4result as the first, causing application of P2 and P3.

This requirement of an equal number of input signals for each shift 4of the output signal between its applied and removed condition has been found unsuitable for some applicati-ons of pulse dividing equip-ment. For example, in some installations it is desired that after a certain number of parts have been produced by a machine and collected in a single collection area, a quick ejection of the collected parts be accomplished and the ejection apparatus be rapidly retracted so that the next batch of parts may be collected. To accomplish this end, it wou-ld be desirable to create, say, the pressure phase of the output signal only after a large number of input signals, With the next exhaust phase occurring after only the succeeding input signal, or even the next shift of the input signal from one phase to the other FIGURE 3 shows valve 11 as having its first input sig- -nal port 27 connected to output port 48 of pilot valve 32, that is to P1, and its second input signal port 28 to output signal port 42 olf unit 34, that is to P3, output signal port 29 being connected to motor 35 of valve 36 and being termed P4.

With this arrangement, the first application of P1 will cause shifting of spool 18 to its enabling position, and with P3 being applied to port 28 shortly after P1 is applied to port 27, an output pressure signal P4 will be produced at port 29. The reason signal P3 will be received slightly later than signal P1 is that P3 must await the shifting of the spools in units 33 and 34, whereas P1 is transmitted directly from port 48 of valve 32.

The first occurrence of E1 will cause spool 18 to shift to the left since P3 is .still being applied. This will remove P4 (creating E4) for the reasons described above. Valve 36A will thus have been shifted by P4 to its open .position when pilot valve 32 was energized for the firsttime, and -by E4 to its closed position when pilot valve 32 was de-energized.

Upon the second energization of pilot valve 32, P1 will be applied to unit 11, but spool 18 will remain in its E4 position because P3 is still being applied. This condition will hold when the second E1 occurs. The third P1 will result in E3, so that spool 18 will shift to its righthand or enabling position. However, E4 will remain since P4 can only be supplied by P3. E4'Wi1l hold during the third E1 :and the fourth P1 and E1. When P1 and P3 again appear-in the proper sequence upon the fourth application of P1, P4 will again be applied and the cycle will be repeated. 4 Y

FIGURE 5 .shows a modified arrangement which is basically similar to that of FIGURE 3 but in which output signal port 42 of lunit 33 is connected to first input signal port 27 of unit 11 as well as to input signal port 45 of unit 34, and output port 48 of pilot valve 32 is not connected to port 27. The result will be that the pressure phase of the signal at output signal port 29 of unit 11 will have a longer duration, and more specifically will be equal to the duration of the first application of P1 and the first occurrence of E1.

The sequence of operation of the FIGURE 5 system is shown in FIGURE 6. Upon the first application of P1, P2 will be applied to port 45 and to first input signal port 27 of unit 11. Application of P2 to port 45 will cause P3 to be :applied to second input signal port 28 of unit 11. P2 will be applied to port 27 before P3 is applied to p-ort 28 because of the time required for shifting of lspools 38 and 39 of unit 34. Since the signals will have been applied in proper sequence to unit 11, spool 18 thereof will shi-ft to its right-hand or enabling position, and a pressure .signal Will be applied at output signal port 29, this signal being referred to as P4.

Upon the first occurrence of E1, P2 will remain, as will P3. P4 will therefore also rem-ain, unlike the system of FIGURES 3 tnd 4 in which P4 was removed by the first E1.

When P1 is applied for the second time, P2 will become E2. Since P3 remains, spool 18 of unit 11 will be shifted to the left for the reasons described above, changing P4 t0 E4.

Upon the second E1, E2 and P3 will remain, as will E4. Upon the third application of P1, P2 will be reapplied. However, P3 will change to E3 at the same time. Spool 18 will therefore shift to its right-hand or enabling position, `but since there is no P3, E4 will remain.

When E1 occurs .for the third time, P2 will remain applied, but E3 will remain. There will thus still be no application of P4. Upon the fourth application of P1, P2 will be changed to E2, land E3 will remain. There will thus be no pressure applied to either the first or the second input signal ports of unit 11, and E4 will remain. The fourth E1 will not affect E2, E3 or E4. The fifth application of P1 will be like the first, with P2, P3 and P4 being reapplied to start repetition of the cycle.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosedare well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreviated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a val-ve having a first input signal port, a 'second input signal port and an output signal port, means responsive to the application and mainten-ance of a pressure signal at said first input signal port and the later application and maintenance of a pressure signal at said second input signal port for applying a pressure signal at said output signal port, and means responsive to removal of the pressure signal at either input signal port for removing the pressure signal at said output signal port.

2. The combination according to claim 1, further provided with means responsive to connection of either of said input signal ports to exhaust and application of pressure to the other input signal port for connecting said output signal port to exhaust.

3. In combination, a valve having a first input signal port, a second input signal port, an output signal port and an exhaust port, said valve being movable between an exhaust position in which said output signal port is connected to exhaust and an enabling position in which said output signalport is connected to said second input signal port, means responsive to the application and maintenance of pressure at said first input signal port and the later application and maintenance of pressure at said second input signal port for holding said valve in its enabling position, and means -responsive to the application and maintenance of pressure at said second input signal port and the 'later application and maintenance of pressure at said first input signal port for holding said valve in its exhaust position.

4. In combination, a valve having a first input signal port, a second input signal port, and an exhaust port, a v-alve spool movable between an exhaust position and an enabling position, a first seal area on said spool connected to said first input signal port and responsive -to pressure therein for urging said spool toward its enabling position, a second seal area on said spool smaller .than said first seal area and connected to said first input signal port, said second seal area being responsive to pressure at said first input sign-al port when the spool is in its exhaust position to hold said spool in said exhaust position but being unresponsive t-o pressure at said first input signal port when said spool moves away lfrom its exhaust position, a third seal area on said spool smaller than said first seal area and separating said second input signal port and said output signal port when said spool is in its exhaust posiv tion, said third seal area being responsive to pressure at said second input signal port when the spool is in its exhaust position to hold said spool in its exhaust position but being ineffective when said spool is in its enabling position, and a fourth seal area smalle-r than the first seal area .and separating said output signal port 4and said exhaust port when said spool is in its enabling position, said fourth seal area being responsive to pressure at said second input signal port when said spool is in its enabling position to urge said spool toward its exhaust position lbut being ineffective when said spool is in its exhaust position.

5. In combination, a valve 4having a housing, a bore in said -housing having ytwo relatively Wide sect-ions separated by a relatively narrow section, a first input signal port connected to one of said wide bore sections, a second input signal port connected to the other Wide bore secti-on, an output signal port connected to said relatively narrow bore section, a spool slidable in said bore, a first seal area on said spool in said one wide bore section, an exhaust port connected to said one Wide bore section, said first seal area separating said first input signal port and said exhaust port, a second seal area on said spool smaller than said first seal area, a vented chamber formed in the outer end of said one wide bore section, said spool being movable between an exhaust position in which said second seal area is slidable within said chamber and an enabling position in Which said second seal area is Withdrawn from said chamber, said first seal area being responsive to a pressure signal at first input signal port to urge said spool toward its enabling position, said second seal are-a being responsive to a pressure signal at said -rst signal port when said spool is in its exhaust position .to partially counteract `the force on said rst seal area but being ineffective when said second seal area is Withdrawn from said chamber, and third and tourt-h seal areas on said spool, each of said seal areas being smaller than said rst seal area but greater than the difference between said rst and said second seal areas, said third and fourth seal areas being alternately slidable Within said narrow lbore section to separate said rst input signal port and said output signal port when the spool is in its exhaust position and to separate said output signal port and said exhaust port when the spool is in its enabling position.

6. In combination, a source of input pressure signal pulses, and means responsive to -a predetermined number of said input pulses for creating a single application of an output pulse and responsive thereafter to a diierent number of input pulses for creating a single removal of said output pulse.

7. The combination according to claim 6, said last-mentioned means comprising a pulse dividing mechanism having an input port connected to said input signal source and an output port, means in said mechanism responsive to a predetermined number of input pulses for creating a sin-gle applic-ation of an output pulse at its output port and re- :nance of pressure at said second input signal port for apf plyin-g pressure at said output signal port, and means in said valve responsive to the removal of pressure at either of said input signal ports for removing pressure at said output signal port.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,859,735 11/1958 Di 'Forro et al. 137-624.27 X 2,921,602 l/1960 Brinkel` 137-625.66 3,064,464 1l/1962 Black et al. 137-625.69 X 3,131,722 5/1964 A-bbott et al. IS7-625.6

M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner. HENRY T. KLINKSIEK, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A VALVE HAVING A FIRST INPUT SIGNAL PORT, A SECOND INPUT SIGNAL PORT AND AN OUTPUT SIGNAL PORT, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE APPLICATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A PRESSURE SIGNAL AT SAID FIRST INPUT SIGNAL PORT AND THE LATTER APPLICATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A PRESSURE SIGNAL AT SAID SECOND INPUT SIGNAL PORT FOR APPLYIONG A PRESSURE SIGNAL AT SAID OUTPUT SIGNAL PORT, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO REMOVAL OF THE PRESSURE SIGNAL AT EITHER INPUT SIGNAL PORT FOR REMOVING THE PRESSURE SIGNAL AT SAID OUTPUT SIGNAL PORT. 